ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Daniel Gonzalez, 23, is facing federal charges after investigators connected him to a handgun discovered near the scene of a shooting that injured a 16-year-old on New Year’s Day, 2023. Gonzalez, already a convicted felon, is accused of illegally possessing both the firearm and ammunition.
The January 1st incident occurred in a St. Petersburg parking garage. Responding officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department spotted a vehicle fleeing the area shortly after the shooting. A brief pursuit was called off due to inclement weather. Shortly after the pursuit ended, a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol was located in the roadway along the vehicle’s likely escape route.
Forensic analysis quickly turned up a key link to Gonzalez. DNA recovered from two separate parts of the firearm matched Gonzalez’s genetic profile, according to court documents. This evidence forms the core of the federal case against him.
Gonzalez’s past is a significant factor in this case. He has a prior felony conviction for sale or delivery of a controlled substance. Federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. If found guilty, Gonzalez faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the indictment, emphasizing that it is merely an accusation. Gonzalez, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the St. Petersburg Police Department.
The prosecution will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Newman. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The DOJ launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, prioritizing community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
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